Equipment for the preparation and storage of food



c. T. LYON Feb. 3, 1953 EQUIPMENT FOR THE PREPARATION AND STORAGE OFFOOD Filed Oct. 24, 1 45 7 Sheets-Sheet l 27 Gar/{ET w I/ r J FIG. 2QQINVENTOR.

- ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 3, 1953 2,627,445

EQUIPMENT FOR THE PREPARATION AND STORAGE OF FOOD' C. T. LYO N 7Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 24, 1945 @Q/INVENTOR; i BY 7' ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 3,v 1953 c, L 2,627,445

EQUIPMENT FOR THE PREPARATION AND STORAGE OF FOOD Filed Oct. 24, 1945 7Sheets-Sheet S FIG. 5

MINI M105.

BY W 1- 4 W ATTORNEYS.

Feb..3, 1953 k c. T. LYON 2,627,445

EQUIPMENT FOR THE PREPARATION AND STORAGE OF FOOD Filed Oct. 24, 1945 '7Sheets-Sheet 4 FZG. 6

GAr'KE FIG. 7

EMINI ENTOR.

Feb. 3, 1953 c. T. LYON 2,627,445

' EQUIPMENT FOR THE PREPARATION AND STORAGE OF FOOD Filed Oct. 24, 19457 Sheets-Sheet 5 97%)NVENT0RQ a 5 BY I FIG. /2 ArTok v sq Feb. 3, 1953c. T. LYON 2,627,445

EQUIPMENT FOR THE PREPARATION AND STORAGE OF FOOD;-

Filed 001?. 24, 1945 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. /5

BY W mt A TTORNEYS.

Feb. 3, 1953 R c. r. LYON 2,627,445

EQUIPMENT FOR THE PREPARATION AND STORAGE OF FOOD Filed Oct. 24, 1945 I7 Sheets-Sheet 7 0 O l l I I p FIG.

Patented Feb. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EQUIPMENT FOR THEPREPARATION AND STORAGE OF FOOD Clifford T. Lyon, Chicago, 111.

Application October 24, 1945,-Serial No. 624,128

1 Claim. 1

The present invention relates in general to domestic appliances and hasmore particular reference to a compact apparatus combining a pluralityof appliances, such as a cooking stove and a refrigerator, in a (singleunit occupying minimum floor space.

An important object of the invention is to provide a combined applianceand utility unit wherein the several appliances face outwardly of theunit, whereby the unit may be approached from allsides, as when placedtoward the center convenient shelves, drawers and storage spaces in theunit, together with appliances, such as a stove and refrigerator.

Another important object of the invention is to providean appliancecombination of the character mentioned embodying a rotatable orrevoluble structure whereby any selected one of a plurality ofappliances embodied therein may "selectively be oriented to a desiredoperatingposition, thereby affording space economy.

Another important object is to provide an appliance combination whereinthe several ap- ;pliances and utilities are embodied as a substantiallycylindrical unit turnable about its vertical axis.

Another object is to conserve space Within a kitchen area, whileproviding adequate cooking and refrigerating facilities; a furtherobject being to afford .greater flexibility in theplacemcntof a stoveand refrigerator, together with associated utilities including utensildrawers,

storage cabinets, and appliances such flexibility being accomplished byincorporating the apa novel shelving arrangement wherein storage shelvesmay be "elevated to accessible position,

from a refrigerated storage chamber, through the top of the refrigeratorunit, thus creating a suction, in the refrigerator chamber, which tendsto :retain cold air Within "the chamber 2 instead of spilling chilledair-therefrom, :as is the case when a conventional side-openingrefrigerator door is opened.

Another object is to provide an upwardly opening refrigerator wherebystored articles may be elevated to a comfortable reaching position forremoval, or vice-versa, thereby eliminating the necessity of stooping orbending when loading or unloading the refrigerator; a further objectbeing to incorporate a cooking stove with such a top-openingrefrigerating 'unit so that articles may be transferred from therefrigerator immediately onto the working top of 'the'stove.

Another important object of the invention 'is to provide, in combinationwith a cooking stove having one or more heater elements,demountablemeans for supporting 'a mixing and stirring device whereby the same maybe .used in position over any one of the heater elements, as desired.

,Among the other important objects and advantages of the invention is toprovide a readily accessible set of handles for operating latching meansfor preventing undesired rotary movement of the combination unit; toprovide an electric motor having an automatic locking device forrotating the combined unit at will; to provide means for turning thecombined unit to any desired position under the controlof a push buttonpanel; to suitably insulate the refrigerator in order to provide a deadair space enclosing the same and thereby prevent sweating; to suitablyinsulate the stove and associated oven in order to prevent heat loss;"to provide breaker strips and other suitable insulation between thestove and refrigerator units to prevent the circulation of heat and cold'therebetwe'en through metallic parts; to provide acorribihation unitthat is efficient inservice and attractive in appearance, and toaccomplish savings inmanu- 'facturing costs by combining a plurality .of

household utilities as a single unit with accompanying economies in thecost of fabrication, storage, crating, shipping, installation,advertising and selling; -a still further object being to afford a=novel kitchen utility that will afiord opportunities for theimprovement in thearchitectural design of buildings, more particularlythe design and structural arrangement ofkitchen or other cooking areas.

The foregoing and numerous 'other important objects, advantages, andinherent functions of theinvention will becomeapparent as the inventionis :more .fully understood from the followingdescription, which, takenin conjunction with frame I.

' cludes a central portion forming an oven comthe accompanying drawings,discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a combination kitchen appliance unitincorporating a refrigerator and a cook stove in accordance with thepresent invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are elevation views of the opposite sides of the unit;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an oven ventilator forming a part of theunit;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken vertically through the combinationunit;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 inFig. 1 to illustrate a preferred refrigerator construction;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1-! inFig. 6;

Figs. 8 and 9 are partially cut away perspective views, respectively, ofa revolving electrical connection box and of a revolving electrical andgas connection box, which may be incorporated in the unit;

, rated in the unit;

Fig. 13 is a perspective View of a unit having a modified refrigeratorstructure;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line I4I4 inFig. 13 to illustrate a preferred refrigerator arrangement;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line I4--I 4 in Fig. 13showing a modified arrangement, and

. Fig. 16 is a diagram of electrical connections. To illustrate theinvention, the drawings show a combination kitchen appliance unitcomprising a preferably cylindrical body or shell i forming abox-likeframe in which is incorporated a refrigerator R and a stove S, therefrigerator and stove, respectively, occupying the opposite halfportions of the frame.

The refrigerator section R may comprise a central cool chamber andlateral cold storage chambers 2| and 5! on the opposite sides of thecool chamber. The central cool chamber preferably opens upwardly at thetop of the frame I and is normally closed by cover means 4 having anoperating handle 5. The laterally disposed chambers 2| and 51 areprovided with doors 26-and 3| preferably opening outwardly of the sidesof the frame I.

The stove'section S preferably comprises heater elements 34 and 36, anda cooking well 35 disposed at and facing upwardly of the top of the Thestove section also preferably inpartment 46 and a broiler compartment 49in V superposed relationship in the central portions of the stovesection. On one side of such central portion, the stove section mayinclude a convenient storage compartment 58 for cooking cold storagechambers 2| and 51 and the central cool chamber of the refrigerator.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the unit compactly disposes arefrigerator and stove while allowing access to either, as well as tothe utensil storage chamber 58, so that the unit, if desired, may belocated as toward the central portions of a kitchen or other servicearea, thereby giving access to the unit from all sides thereof, to meetthe exigencies of a preferred kitchen arrangement. If so employed, theunit may be stationarily mounted on any suitable base.

The unit, however, is adapted for placement in any convenient locationin a kitchen area, and may in fact be tucked into any available space,such as a corner or bay, or even in a small closet, therebysubstantially enhancing its utilitarian flexibility. To provide suchflexibility, the present invention contemplates the mounting of the uniton a suitable support base for rotation about the central, preferablyvertical, axis of the frame I whereby either the stove or therefrigerator, as well as the compartments 2|, 43, 51 and 58 may beselectively brought into position facing a working space on one side ofthe unit. To this end, the frame I, may be mounted for rotation on asuitable base 3, and manually releasable means may be provided forlatching the frame against turning movement on the base, such meansbeing operable by suitable knobs !5 exposed at the top of the frame.Suitable hand-holds 9 may also be provided on the frame I to facilitatethe manual rotation of the frame I on its supporting base, and motormeans I3 also may be provided for turning the unit, if desired. 7

The base 3 may be of any suitable or preferred construction. As shownmore particularly in Figs. 5 and 10, the base 3 may comprise a frameworkconstructed of angle iron or other suitable structural support elements62.

The supports 62 may radiate from the central portions of the base andmay be provided with downwardly extending legs and feet 64 at theirouter ends. The feet 64 may comprise floor plates drilled and tapped forfastening to the floor. The base also may b enclosed within a preferablycylindrical shell of sheet material to hide its structural features, toafford a solid and substantial appearance, and also to prevent, so faras possible, the accumulation of debris within the base. The base maybe, and preferably is, of lesser diameter than the frame in order thatthe latter may overhang the base whereby to improve the appearance ofthe unit and to afford a toe space for the convenience of the operatorof the device.

The frame I is turnably supported upon the base 3 and to this end may beprovided with an annular track member BI comprising a dependent circularflange formed on the bottom of the frame I in position to rollinglyengage preferably grooved rollers 63 journaled in suitable bracketsformed on and preferably at or near the outer ends of the base members62.

The members 82 may be welded or otherwise joined together at the centralportions of the base to form a central hub provided with a centralopening through which gas or electrical conduits may extend into aconnection box having a bottom section 68, mounted on the base, and acooperating top section II on the frame I. The base also may form amounting for the driving motor I3 having driving connection with theframe I to turn the same. As shown the bottom of ithe frame may be.fitted :with zarring :gear .65

l'i'avling idriving engagement with a :pinion driven the .frame 1:against rotation except when the .motor is energizedas by theclosureof-a switch preferably disposed in a remote control panel :15.The base 3 may also include guide brackets fifiand clampmeans'ii'lcooperating with the ring gear 65 .for aiding in installing the frame Ion the base 3 and to securethe parts rotatably together in operativerelationship. To this end the brackets '66 .may cooperate with the inner'edgeof t'herring to..centerthe same onithe base, while the cl'ampmeans,BLcomprising lugson the brackets, may serve to hold the ring .and.at- *tach'edframe downiupon thebase without, however, binding the sameor interferring with the :free rotation of the frameon the base.

As shown more particularly in .Figs. 8 and .9, "gas and/or :electri'cconnections are provided through the connection box comprising .thecooperating box portions 66 and 7H, Whic hLare preferably made of moldedplastic material. The box portion 68 is mounted centrally on thestationary base and may comprise a cylindrical open top 'box havingconcentric sleevelike partitions defining a central chamber and one ormore circular chambers concentrically disposed outw'ardly of the centralchamber. The box is mounted onthe base "with the axis of the boxcoinciding with theaxis of rotation of 'theframe I on the base 3.

As shown in Figure8'the'centraland concentric chambers of the'box maycontain insulated tened to the bottom of the frame I in position 1 tocover the open top of the box portion I38. The portion H may havedependent flanges slidingly overlapping the cylindrical partitions ofthe portion 68. The portion N forms an insulated mounting for contactbrushes 12 adapted to wipingly engage and make slidin electrical contactwith the bus conductors 69. The brushes are electrically connected withconductors leading to the stove and refrigerator as by suitableterminals Ill extending through thebox top H.

As shown more especially in Fig. 9 the central chamber of the connectionbox maybe used to housea rotarypipe coupling 16,'in c='-axia1 alinementwith the rotary axis of the unit. This coupling may be connected with asupply'pipe in the base 3 "and with a delivery pipe 11 for the supply ofgas or other fluid through the coupling 16 to thestoveand/or'refrigerator.

Ordinarily the refrigerator will be operated by an electric motor drivencompressor in the chamber 43 and powered by the sliding electricconnections shown in Fig. 9, while gas supplied through the coupling 16will serve as fuel for the stove. It is within the contemplation of theinvention, however, to supply a refrigerant, through the coupling 76,for the operation of the refrigerator'and to operate the stoveelectrically; or to-operate both the stove and refrigerator byelectricity and to use the coupling 1'6 to supply water at a convenientfaucet, at the top of the unit.

The frame I may be of anyusuitable or preferred-construction. As shown,it may comprise suitable angle iron members forming a basic :frameworkcarrying sheet metal plates forming extension of the top surface.

.walls defining .-the refrigerating and oven room- .partm'ents and theseveral storage chambers.

The walls of the oven and broiler .and of the refrigeratorchamber arepreferably double walls provided with insulation '54 therebetween andheat :insulating *breaker strips 84 maybe, and

preferably are, provided .to prevent heat transfer between the inner andouter shells forming the oven broilerand refrigerated chambers in theframel.

The 'top surface of the shell I is preferably turned down over the sidewalls and contains theindentedhandholdslots 9 in the downwardly turnedextension. If desired, however, the unit :may be fitted. with aprojecting handle comprising a continuous, curved pipe encircling theframe and securedthereto by suitable brackets. The top of the frame mayalso include downwardly slanting portions at the top front of the "ovensection toprovide a convenient :mounting for cooking element controls31, which-are'mounted on such inclined frame portion and presented at areadily visible inclination facing outwardly and upwardly of the frame.The top surface of the frame I is formed with openings into which the"cooking elements 34, "35 and 36 are fitted, and may also be providedwith an upwardly facing opening in the refrigerator section givingaccess to the central cool chamber thereof. Between the refrigerator andstove sections, the top of the frame may be formed with an opening for a-ventilator 2.

The baseof the frame I is preferably formed as a sheet metal plate-5G,the same being cut out at selected places 59, as in the bottom of thecompartment 58, to afford access to those parts within thebase which mayrequire service. These openings may be normally closed by a removablebottom shelf or panel in th compartment '58. The base plate extendsupwardly around the exterior walls of the frame a distance substantiallyequal to the downward Both top and bottom plates may be attached 'to theexterior walls, in any preferred fashion, the attached edges of the topand bottom plates being preferably concealed under trim bands 33 toenhance the appearance of the unit and conceal the joints.

As shown in Figs. 5, 6, '7, 13, 14 and '15, the central cool chamber ofthe refrigerator section may contain shelving 6 preferably comprisingshelves of wire mesh or other forarninous material, the shelves beingmounted in aframe suspended on the cover 4 which closes the proferablyupwardly facing opening of the cool chamber. The shelf mounting framemay be formed inany suitable or preferred manner. As shown, Figs. 5, 6,and 7, the frame may comprise hollow upright members 94 fastened to theunderside of the cover 4 adjacent the-edges thereof and dependingtherefrom, the shelves (5 being fastened or secured in any convenient orpreferred fashion, in superposed relationship on the uprights 3d. Theuprights '94 partially enclose each a helically wound strip 1, which inturn encloses a counterbalancing spring 91. The helically wound memberforms a tube providing a, helical groove extending from one end of thetube to its other end.

The uprights "B l are provided with brackets 96 connecting the same withthe tube 1 at the lower ends thereof, said tubes being free to turn onthe brackets. The brackets also carry a rod-like axis member 99, whichextends therefrom through the spring 91, said members 99 beingconnected, at their bracket remote ends, on the cover 4, therebyaffording support for the springs 91. 94, the inner wall of the coolchamber is p vided with cooperating channel shaped guides 95, whichenclose the outwardly facing sides of the tubes 1. At the upper end ofthe cool chamber, spring mounting lugs 98 are mounted in positionextending, through the helical slot of the member 1, to engage the upperend of the spring 91, the lower end of the spring being connected at thelower end of the shelf support structure. The tubes 1 will be caused torotate by the fingers 98 when the shelf struc ture is raised or loweredin the cool chamber, thereby maintaining a thrust tension in the springwhich assists in raising and maintaining the shelves at any desiredheight. The springs are adapted to compensate for any weight placed onthe shelves as well as unequal distribution of weight caused by placingarticles at random on the several shelves.

The cool chamber, in the form illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, is ofcylindrical shape and the cover 4 is of circular configuration,preferably fitting into a depressed cavity in the top wall of the unitat the upper end of the cool chamber. The operating handle 5 ispreferably disposed at one side of the cover which may be flagged downto provide a recess for receiving the handle, which is preferably curvedto follow the perimeter of. the unit. The handle may be provided with aspring latch adapted to cooperate with a suitable keeper mounted in thewalls of the cool chamber.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 13, 14 and 15, the cool chamber maybe of rectangular configuration and the cover means 4 may comprisecooperating rectangular doors forming pivoted top lids on which theshelves 6 may be supported. In this embodiment, the substantiallycylindrical body of the unit is preferably formed with a fiat surface,the upper end of which, as shown in Fig. 14, may be beveled, as at afortyfive degree angle, to form a ledge 19 for engaging thecorrespondingly beveled edge of one of the rectangular cover members 18when in closed position, a similar beveled ledge 79 being formed forengaging the correspondingly beveled edge of the flat top 78' along theside 7 of the cool chamber opening remote from the beveled edge 1'9.

When the doors 78 and 18 are in closed position their meeting edges haveinterfitting relationship to provide an airtight cover for the coolchamber. The shelves 5 are interconnected in a suitable framework 88whereby the shelves may be projected as a unit from the cool chamberwhen the doors 1'8 and 18' are opened. To this end, the shelf frame 8i!is interconnected with the doors by means of a suitable mechanismcomprising levers pivoted, as at 89, and including an angular lever 35having an end forming sliding pivot connection 90 with the shelf frame86 at the medial portions thereof, the other end of said lever 85 beingsecured to the underside of the door 18. The lever 35 is pivoted, at itsmid-pop tion, on the inner walls of the cool chamber and is alsoconnected with the movable member 83 of an extensible, preferably springactuated counterbalance device 86, the stationary member or sheath ofwhich may be pivotally mounted on the inner walls of the cool chamber ator near the Opposite each of the uprights bottom thereoff The other'door18' carries a lever member 85 on its underside, said lever member beingpivoted intermediate its length upon the inner walls of the coolchamber. At its door remote end, the lever 85' is connected, by means ofa link 88, with the lever 85. The door '18, also, may be provided with aconvenient operating handle 8'! whereby the doors may be opened to thedot-ted line position shown in Fig. 14, the door 18 projecting outwardlyof the cool chamber and extending down along the flattened wall of theunit, and the door 18 extending downwardly within the rear portions ofthe cool chamber. When in open position, the shelves 6 will be projectedto the dotted line position shown in Fig. 14.

The lower portions of the cool chamber, in Figs. 13 and 14, may comprisea drawer 8| provided with an operating handle 82 and adapted to openlaterally outwardly of the unit at the lower portions of the flattenedsides thereof, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 13.

A modified shelf and door arrangement is shown in Fig. 15 wherein thecover means 4 comprises cooperating members 9| and 9| hinged, as at 92,along opposed top edges of the cool chamber for upwardly openingmovement. In this embodiment, the shelf structure 8|] may be providedwith a lifting handle 93, suitable shelf counterbalancing means,comparable to the device iifi being preferably provided to aid inraising and maintaining the shelf structure in projected position.

If desired, the refrigerator section may be provided with an automaticlight and ultraviolet radiator 56 to illuminate and sterilize the cooland cold storage spaces.

The refrigerator section R also includes the cold storage comparements2| and 51, which are disposed in the unit preferably on opposite sidesof the central cool chamber. These compartments may be provided withdoors 26 and 3|,

respectively, opening on vertically disposed hinges 32 at the side ofthe frame I. These doors may be fitted with suitable, preferablymanually operable latches 29 for securing the same releasably in closedposition. The doors 26 and 3|, and likewise the cover member 4, arepreferably of hollow construction comprising inner and outer panelmembers, which may be of metal, secured together in spaced relationship,as by suitable insulating breaker strips 84, similar to the strips whichinsulate the inner and outer wall members forming the cool chamber andthe cold storage compartments 2| and 51. The spaces within the hollowdoors also are preferably filled with insula'tion which may compriserock wool, fiber glass, or other suitable insulation material, similarto the insulation 54 employed in the hollow walls of the stove andrefrigerator compartments.

Both compartments 2| and 51 may be fitted with refrigerating unitsincluding a refrigerating unit in the compartment 2| for making icecubes in trays 23, said unit being provided with a drip tray 24 andhaving adjustable temperature control means 22. Beneath therefrigerating unit the compartment 2| may be provided with shelves 25 toadapt the same for the reception of items, including bottled goods, forcold storage. The other cold storage chamber 5! may likewise be providedwith shelving to adapt the same for use as a frozen food locker and, ifdesired, inner doors 28 and 30 may be provided for the severalcompartments of the locker as well as for the ice cube chamber 23. Therefrigerating units in the chambers and 1'may be. andpreferablyarerefrigerant, evaporators 5.5 supplied with refrigerantfromcompressor-condenser equipment dis.- posed in the compartment 43.. I

The stove section S comprises a centrally disposed stoveandoven portionhaving heater elements 34' and 3.5,,and aninsulatedcooker well 35mounted in the, top of the frame; I-, thesmallelements 34 being.preferably located centrally, with the cooking well35 and the largerheater element 36 disposed on opposite, sides of saidcentrally. locatedelements 34. The stove may include suitable, heat controls 37 disposedcentrally of the stove portion and at the marginal edge of, the top ofthe unit. The side wall of theunit centrally, ofthe stove portion ispreferably flattened, as shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 5, toform the. front of the stove section, the controls 3! being disposed on;an angulated portion of the top wall of the unit at the upper end ofsaid fiattended, side wall portion.

The heater elements and cookingwell may,.of course; be heated either byelectricity or by gas, and the controls 31 according maycompriseelectrical switches or manually operable gas control valves; and thecontrols 31 may include pilot light facilities 38. v

The central portions of the stove unit, beneath the heaters 34, may forman oven compartment 46 and a broiler chamber 49 in superposedrelationship in the frame I. The oven and broiler compartments maycomprise a single chamber having hollow Walls interconnected by suitableheat insulating breaker strips similar to the breaker strips 84; and thehollow walls of said chamber may-be filled with insulation 54. The ovencompartment is fitted with a suitable door preferably supportedonhorizontal hinge means for opening movement downwardly and outwardlyof the side of the frame I. Preferably removable foraminous shelves 4'!may be provided in the oven compartment 46 and, if desired, a lamp 45may be mounted in the oven and adapted to light up the interior of thecompartment 46. whenever the door 46 is opened. The broiler compartmentis preferably fitted with a suitable drawer 49 adapted tobe drawnoutwardly of the flattened side wall of the stove section S, asindicated in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 5.

The oven and broiler compartments may be provided also with heatelements 48 preferably disposed in. position intermediate thecompartments 461 and 49. The broilerdrawer also may be fitted with a.tray 50', which is preferably mounted for turning movement within thedrawer. The drawer also may be provided with a removable broiling grid5I and the drawer maybe supported, in the broiler compartment, onrollers 52 riding in suitable track mounted on the opposite inner sidewalls of the broiler compartment. If desired, the rear wall ofthebroiler compartment maybeprovided with an opening closed by a,removable insulated panel 53 for the purpose of giving access tothe'space between the rear wallsof' the oven andrefrigerator sections inwhich the fuel and power supply conduits extend" from the connection boxcentrallylocated on the bottom of the frame I and on the base 3.Suitable handles 44, may be provided on the oven door 46' and on'thebroiler drawer 49.

The frame I, beneath the larger heater element 36 and on one side of theoven and broiler compartment, may provide a storage compartment 58 forthe. convenient reception of pots,

suitable. grasping. handle 4| able fastening membersysuch as the. setscrews; 42. This, compartment 43 may contain a.;compressor, condenser,and associated'mechanism for circulatingya. suitable refrigerant to theevaporae tors or other'coolingidevices in. the compartments 2| and 5.1of i the refrigerator section.

A removableventilator top 2 comprisinga hol low box-like shell may bemounted at the top of the unit in position extendingtransverselyibetween the tops of the oven, and refrigerator sections.This ventilator is mounted ina. cut-out openingin the top wall of theunit and is pref-.

erably; of semi-circular shape, as shown more particularly in Fig. 1. Itis held in place by fric-- tion fit in the opening, and is providedwith. a.

bead, which determines the depth at. whlchit seats in the opening.

and broiler compartments, the storage compartment 53 and the compartment43. in which the compressor and the evaporator of the refrigerating unitare mounted.

In order to allow for suchventilationofxthe.

compartments 43 and 58,,the door 39-of the.compartment 58 and the.closure panel, 42; of the, chamber 43 may be provided. with ventopenings 4llso that, ventilation air may be drawn into the. compartments43 and 58, through the openings 40 and thence circulated around theexterior wall of the oven and broiler compartment and upwardly throughthe openings ID of the ventilation. shell 2 In addition to itsventilatingfunction, thershell 2 provides a mounting for one or moreelectrical convenience outlets 8 and also provides. a-guide-v supportfor the operating handlesor knobs I5 which control the rotating gear 65;To thisend. as shown more particularly in Fig. 1210f the draw-9 ings,the knobs I5 are mounted on rods I6, which are slidingly supported inguides I], in. turn mounted on the outer rear; wall of the refriger-iating section, the rods; I.6 thus being. disposed in the space betweenthe back walls of the stove" and refrigerator sections... The; lowerends of'thex gage suitable toothed detent. means on the base 3. Bypressing one of the knobs I5. downwardly,

the detent 20 may be lockingly. engaged. with suitable detent means;formed, on" the base' to; thereby prevent the frame I-from turningon thebase 3.- At the same time. the other knob will: be projected upwardly bythe, action of the lever I3. By pressing such other knobdownwardly; the

latch member 20may be drawn upwardly from engagement with the keepermeans to release the frame I for turningmovementon the base.

The ventilating shell 2 also provides amounting for an electric clock,illuminating lamps, temper ature controls, and, timer mechanism,indicated generally at I3; and also providesmounting lugs.

Ventilating louvers are formed in the top of the ventilator 2 in orderto allow for the, circulation of air around the oven' I2 adapted toreceive a preferably removable bracket I I on which to detachably mountan electric mixing device I I. The mounting lugs I2 are preferablydisposed opposite the heater elements 34 and 36 and the shell 2 iscurved in a fashion to dispose the -lugs equally distant from thecorresponding heaters so that when the electric mixer is mounted on anyof the lugs it will be in position to perform a mixing operation inproper alignment with the corresponding heater element. The ventilatorshell 2 is thus removably supported on the top of the frame I,electrical conductors being connected with the outlet plugs, clock,lamps, controls and timer device, through readily disconnectibleelectrical coupling means I4.

'The apparatus is operated by the preferably fractional horsepower motorI3 having the gear reduction drive 05 and built-in brake M forcontrolling the turning movement of the frame I. The drive gear of themotor, engaging with the ring gear 65, may rotate the combined stove andrefrigerator unit to any and all desired positions. Control for therotation of the unit may be achieved by the electrical circuits shown inFig. 16 under the control of a key switch I00. This key switch and theposition selecting push buttons IOI may be mounted on the remote controlplate or panel i5 which may be placed in any convenient position. Bypressing a selected one of the push buttons IOI, the unit may be causedto rotate on its axis and to stop at the position selected. Ordinarilysix selector buttons, as shown, will afford all of the stoppingpositions necessary in a unit containing the six elements illustrated,namely, the stove, the storage compartment 50, the three refrigeratorchambers, and the equipment compartment 43.

The pressing of a selected push button IOI closes its circuit which isthereafter held in closed position by the relay I02 connected in circuitwith the push button, there being a relay operatively associated witheach push button. In each relay and push button circuit there isincluded a microlimit switch I03. The several switches I03 arephysically mounted in spaced relationship on the base 3 of the unit inposition to be engaged and opened by switch actuating finger means onthe turnable frame I in order to open the circuit and discontinueturning movement of the frame when it has reached the selected position.

The circuits containing the selector buttons I I the relays I02, and thelimit switches I03, are arranged in parallel relationship and areinterconnected in series with a power source through the key switch I00.The motor I3 and the operating coil ofthe locking device 14 areconnected in parallel relationship with the power source throughsuitable normally open starter switch contact means I05, which may beclosed when an associated starter coil I is energized. This starter coilI06 is interconnected with the power source through the key switch I00and relay contacts I01, each of which is closed by a corresponding oneof the relays I02 when energized upon the closure of the associatedselector button I0 I. The locking device I4 consists of a solenoid whichoperates when energized to remove a latching detent out of contact withthe teeth of the drive gear associated with the ring gear 65.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the presentinvention provides a combination rotatable stove and refrigerator unitproviding insulated spaces inwhich low refrigerator temperatures andhigh stove temperatures may be created and maintained withoutinterference from each other or from externally caused con ditions,wherein food and other items may be stored, prepared, or cooked. Thecombined unit provides means whereby access may be had to all storage,preparation and cooking facilities without requiring the operator tomove from one position, the apparatus operating in an easy andconvenient manner as a result of the facilities provided for controlledrotation of' the unit. Since access may be had to the cold storagecompartment by the elevation of a part of the refrigerator, a partialvacuum is created within the cool cham ber of the refrigerator whichtends to retain cold air therein. This feature in combination with theplacement of the most commonly used articles upon the upper shelves ofthe refrigerator substantially eliminates the wastage of cold air from,and the induction of warm air into the insulated refrigerator chamber.Since access may be had to the compartment by elevating a portion of therefrigerator, an advantageous condition is achieved in that an idealworking height is obtained, the raising of the refrigerator shelvesmaking it possible to place and remove articles at a most comfortableposition, without stooping or bending, below the operating top of theunit.

It is also apparent that, through the use of a neat, compact and sightlyventilator, a combined stove and refrigerator unit is provided that isconvenient to use, commodious, and cap-able of maintaining cooking andcooling processes equal to, if not exceeding, the utility of completelyseparate stoves and refrigerators in that the improved ventilator servesto maintain a circulation of air between the warm oven and the coolrefrigerator compartments, and further affords the facility of mountinga. mixing device over any heater element of the stove. rangement,further, affords a means for conveniently mounting devices in anattractive fashion at the top of the unit.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantageswill be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it isobvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages,the form herein disclosed comprising a preferred embodiment for thepurpose of demonstrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows;

A combination stove and refrigerator unit comprising a frame mounted forrotation about a vertical axis, a refrigerating zone in said framedisposed on one side of said axis, a cooking zone in said frame disposedon the opposite side of said axis from said refrigerating zone, meansfor automatically rotating said unit about said vertical axis includinga circular ring gear attached to said frame, a drive gear mounted forengagement with said ring gear, an electric motor adapted to. drive saiddrive gear, an electrical circuit con.- nected to said motor and asourceof electrical energy, circuit opening and closingmeans in said circuitfor energizing and de-energizing said circuit to remotely control theoperation of said motor and rotate the frame to a predeterminedposition, and electrically actuated latching means cooperativelyassociated with said motor to latch the unit against turning movementwhen the motor is not in operation.

CLIFFORD T. LYON.

(References on following page) The ventilator ar- The followingreferences are of record in the 1 REFERENCES CITED file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 7 Name Date Hubbard Oct. 20, 1891 CarverSept. 18, 1894 Randolph Feb. 26, 1907 Robertson May 29, 1917 Moller Mar.9, 1926 Parsons May 14, 1935 Vincent Nov. 10, 1936 ShiSlEr Apr. 2'7,1937 Number 14 Name Date Love Sept. 7, 1937 Wales Sept. 21, 1937Mitchell Oct. 19, 1937 Howeth Sept. 1'7, 1940 Sherman Nov. 19, 1940Glen: Apr. 14, 1942 Kramer Jan. 26, 1943 Rutledge Mar. 16, 1943 SloatMarL21, 1944 Bletz Jan. 8, 1946 Evans Mar, 19, 1946 Quinn May 14, 1946

